NewsBite

Advertisement

AFL trade period day one as it happened: Dees shut down Oliver talk; Neal-Bullen, Darling secure trades

Key posts

Pinned post from

Oliver Q&A: Demons list boss faces the tough questions

By Marc McGowan

Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb has put an end to the Clayton Oliver trade speculation in a tense, at-times awkward press conference on the opening day of trade period at Marvel Stadium.

Lamb wore a rapid-fire series of pointed questions about Oliver’s meeting with Geelong, being a trade target for rival clubs for a second straight year, club CEO Gary Pert speaking to other clubs about Oliver and Christian Petracca’s angst with the club.

Below is an edited selection of those questions, and Lamb’s answers.

Is there any chance Clayton plays at a different club in 2025?
Tim Lamb: No.

Staying put: Demons star Clayton Oliver.

Staying put: Demons star Clayton Oliver.Credit: Simon Schluter

Can you explain what happened with the contact from Melbourne to another club about his future. Melbourne fans are confused. What happened?

What I’ll say is that’s a good question, I understand it. This time of year, there are a lot of conversations with a lot of clubs about a lot of things. I’m not going to go into details about who was spoken about. We have a really united list management group, and any conversation that’s had with any club about a player comes back to that list management group. But as I said, there are a lot of things that come across our desk. There are a lot of things that go the other way. Our position has never changed. We’ve never been trading Clayton, and we won’t be.

Is it a regrettable situation?

I’d rather not be answering the question. But I don’t think regrettable. As I said, unfortunately, this time of year there are a lot of things that get spoken about, and unfortunately, sometimes they get out into the public but again, we’re comfortable with where we sit and Clayton knows that he won’t be going anywhere.

Is he disaffected?

I think any player would rather their name not be in the public arena. I think that’s fair. But ‘Claz’ is a Melbourne person. He knows how valuable he is. We’re really proud of Clayton, and how far he’s come this year, and we’re really looking forward to him having a terrific season next year.

Has the club as a whole mismanaged this situation over the last 12 months?

Oh, no, no, no. I think the work we’ve done with ‘Claz’, and the work that ‘Claz’ has done himself, has been outstanding. He’s obviously had a couple of challenges over the journey. He’s got himself into a really good spot. So, no, I wouldn’t agree with that.

Man of the moment: Clayton Oliver is the centre of attention at the Demons.

Man of the moment: Clayton Oliver is the centre of attention at the Demons.Credit: Getty Images

Why is the CEO having conversations with another club if you never had any intention of trading him?

As I said, there are always conversations at this time of year, and I’m not going to go into the details of who spoke to who, but clubs ring us, we ring clubs, [but] that doesn’t mean that someone’s going to be traded.

You understand the fans, though, when you’ve been so positive about him, his development, he’s inspiring, and then for whatever reason, he’s not absolutely untradeable. You understand the fans would say they don’t quite understand that?

No, well, our position has never been that he’s tradeable, so I’ll dispute that. He’s not being traded.

Was the intent to try and find out what he was worth?

I’m just going to go back to what I’ve said. I understand the question, but as I said, there are lots of conversations had. Clubs come to us and talk about players, we talk about other players. I’m not going to go into the details of who gets spoken about.

What does it say about the footy club when your two highest-paid players [Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca] are considering their future elsewhere?

Yeah, it’s a good question. I’ll separate them, if I can, because things are different. Christian, obviously, went through a pretty horrific experience, which was really traumatic for Christian and his family, particularly him and Bella. Post that, we’ve had some really good conversations with ‘Trac’ about the club and how we can get better, how he can get better, as we have with all our leaders. Christian is fully committed and will be playing for us for a long time.

The different one with Clayton; they’re separate issues, so I don’t want to lump them in together. But as I said, unfortunately, this time of year, the interest sort of explains how big it is, doesn’t it? So, ‘Claz’ is happy, he’s going to stay and he won’t be going anywhere.

But how does it get to the point where he meets with other clubs?

That’s a good question. Obviously, Clayton felt that, at some point, he wanted to have a conversation with Geelong. I think [Cats list boss] Andrew [Mackie]’s already expressed that. I spoke to Geelong on the day, and said that Clayton wouldn’t be going anywhere, and they were really happy with that. So, I think just because someone talks to another club … you’d be surprised how often that happens during the course of a year. Every club does it, so just because someone speaks to another club, doesn’t mean that they’re actually going. I think history shows that.

To be clear on Clayton, are you saying he was never shopped around by the Dees?
Yeah, the term shopped around is inaccurate.

What were some of his concerns with the club?
No, no. Clayton’s fine. He understands our position that he won’t be traded, and he’s fully committed to us for next year.

With Dan Houston [changing his mind], is there a concern these instances are causing other players to have concerns about coming to your club?

Yeah, obviously, when stuff’s in the media, if you’re a player, if you’ve got choice, and there’s noise around a club, which there was [around us] at that time, then obviously, that could have an impact. But in terms of Dan specifically, I can’t answer that. But yeah, that’s a fair point you’re asking.

Is that something you need to address internally and clear up for the future, to make sure the players do want to come to your club?

100 per cent. We don’t want to be a club that players don’t want to come to. We want to be a really attractive place for players to come to.

Are you attractive at the moment?

(Long pause) That’s a good question. Hard to answer. Yeah, it’s hard to answer.

Is it concerning that you have to pause and think about it?

I’m just trying to give a measured answer.

Latest posts

Thanks for following: Join us tomorrow

Thanks for following through the opening day of the 2024 AFL trade period, where Alex Neal-Bullen (Adelaide), Jack Darling (North Melbourne) and Jack Graham (West Coast) have found new homes.

But there is also plenty going on in the background, particularly with the potential trades of Dan Houston, Bailey Smith and, dare we say, Clayton Oliver.

We will keep an eye on these – and more – on Tuesday. Join us from 9am AEDT. Until then, you can tune in to our daily trades podcast via your preferred app from 6pm, get the latest delivered straight to your inbox with our newsletter (sign up here) and of course, keep an eye on our site for top analysis and all the breaking news.

Kangaroos welcome Darling

North Melbourne general manager of football Todd Viney said the Kangaroos are excited to welcome Jack Darling to Arden Street.

Darling, 32, played 298 games and kicked 532 goals in a celebrated career with the Eagles after being drafted with pick No.26 in 2010.

The Kangaroos handed over pick No.67 to the Eagles.

Good call: Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney.

Good call: Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney.Credit: Jason South

“We were looking to add some support to our forward line, and we’re excited about what a player like Jack can bring,” Viney said.

“Our head of football talent Brady Rawlings worked with Jack in his previous role at West Coast and has seen up close his professionalism and preparation.

“Jack has great strength and ability to bring the ball to ground and chase and tackle, and we think his experience will benefit our young list enormously.

“We know he’ll be a great sounding board and support for players like Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar and he’s excited about helping us in our journey back up the ladder.″⁣

North Melbourne currently holds picks No. 2, 25, 43 and 61 in the national draft.

Mackie questions Saints, Giants draft compensation

By Jon Pierik

Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie has questioned the draft compensation awarded to St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney, declaring the AFL had been “generous” in awarding the two clubs first-round selections for the departing Josh Battle and Harry Perryman.

The Cats’ first-round dipped from 15 to 17 after the Saints were given pick No.8 for Battle who has joined Hawthorn, and the Giants were given pick No.16 for losing Perryman to Collingwood.

The Cats are chasing Bailey Smith and, potentially, Clayton Oliver through the trade period, the Western Bulldogs already declaring they will play hardball for the talented Smith, although he is coming off a knee reconstruction.

Making a point: Geelong’s list boss Andrew Mackie.

Making a point: Geelong’s list boss Andrew Mackie.Credit: Getty Images

“It felt generous with a couple of those guys,” Mackie told Trade Radio on Monday.

“By definition, it means they’re in the top 5 per cent of paid players in the comp. So that’s what gets you tier one of band one, which lands them there.”

Mackie indicated first-round draft selections should not be impacted by free-agency compensation.

Loading

He said St Kilda president Andrew Bassatt, who took aim again last week at the draft and free agency system, would have been delighted with the selection the Saints accrued.

“I think there’s ways where you can quarantine the first round in compensation. So it’s a bit to work through there. Andrew Bassatt would be feeling really good about things. Strategically well-timed,” Mackie said.

The Giants have added two selections already, having also been awarded pick No.21 for Isaac Cumming, who has linked with the Adelaide Crows.

“We didn’t want to lose them because they’re important players. But once they make the decision to go, and you know that the compensation formula is going to give it what it gives you, we were absolutely rapt to get what we did,” Caruso said.

Advertisement

Updated AFL draft interactive

Premiership Tiger now an Eagle

Robust Richmond midfielder Jack Graham is now officially an Eagle, having told the Tigers he will join West Coast as an unrestricted free agent.

Go west: Former Tigers midfielder Jack Graham.

Go west: Former Tigers midfielder Jack Graham.Credit: Getty Images

Done deal – Darling joins Kangaroos

West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling has joined the Kangaroos in exchange for pick No.67.

Darling will help provide support for full-forward Nick Larkey. While Darling is a marking tall, the Kangaroos have pointed out he led the Eagles in inside-50 tackles this season.

Happy days: Jack Darling (right) is now a Kangaroo.

Happy days: Jack Darling (right) is now a Kangaroo.Credit: Getty Images

Advertisement

Confirmed: Neal-Bullen joins Crows

Melbourne premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen is officially on the move, linking with the Adelaide Crows in exchange for pick 28.

Gone: Alex Neal-Bullen is now an Adelaide Crow.

Gone: Alex Neal-Bullen is now an Adelaide Crow.Credit: Getty Images

Neal-Bullen joins free agent Isaac Cumming in joining the Crows. The Crows aren’t finished yet, for they are the preferred destination of Giant James Peatling.

Your club’s draft selections

Your club’s national draft picks as of October 7, 2024

Adelaide: 4, 28, 45, 63
Brisbane: 20, 59, 72
Carlton: 12, 34, 65, 68, 71
Collingwood: 36, 51, 54
Essendon: 9, 31
Fremantle: 10, 11, 18, 30, 66
Geelong: 17, 38, 56, 74
Gold Coast: 6, 13, 23, 29, 41, 49, 77
Greater Western Sydney: 15, 16, 21, 37, 52, 55, 73
Hawthorn: 14, 33, 70, 76
Melbourne: 5, 40, 48, 53, 64
North Melbourne: 2, 25, 43, 61, 67
Port Adelaide: 39, 57
Richmond: 1, 24, 32, 42, 44, 50, 60, 69, 75
St Kilda: 7, 8, 27, 46
Sydney: 19, 22, 58
West Coast: 3, 26, 62
Western Bulldogs: 35, 47

Contracted players exploring options

By Peter Ryan

Clubs confirmed that these contracted players are exploring their trade options with their consent on the opening day of trade period: Deven Robertson (Lions), Matt Kennedy (Carlton), Jacob Konstanty (Sydney), Lewis Young (Carlton), Jake Stringer (Essendon).

The Saints’ Tim Membrey celebrates kicking a goal.

The Saints’ Tim Membrey celebrates kicking a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Carlton ruled out recruiting St Kilda free agent Tim Membrey. West Coast said they are not pursuing Port Adelaide’s Tom Clurey.

Advertisement

Quick quiz: Name all 18 club best-and-fairest winners this season

Look away now, if you are still recalling the winners … or taking an educated [or uneducated] guess ...

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5kg78